Player Profile

Goalkeeper Lane was signed from Merseyside neighbours Tranmere Rovers in September 1971 as a cover for Ray Clemence. A rare injury to the club's first-choice 'keeper meant that Lane was thrown in at the deep end for his League debut at Derby on 2 September 1972. However, he unfortunately distinguished himself for all the wrong reasons by safely catching a deep cross from Alan Hinton and then stepping backwards over his own goal-line! Despite this 'howler', the injury situation with Clemence meant that Lane kept his place for the League Cup tie at Carlisle United three days later. There were no further mishaps in a 1-1 draw but Lane never played a first-team match for the club again. After a long and frustrating period of reserve-team football he was eventually transferred to second division Notts County in July 1975. He was a reserve there as well and went into non-league football, his highlight reaching the FA's Challenge Trophy final with Kettering Town in 1979 which they lost 2-0 to Stafford Rangers.

Milestone Appearances

Related Quotes

"Moving to Liverpool from Tranmere was the biggest mistake I ever made in my life. They are a fabulous club and I enjoyed my time with them. But playing in the reserves for so long ruined me. I just stagnated and my confidence went completely."